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This page contains a glossary of commonly used terms in hair restoration.
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5-Alpha-reductase
5-alpha-reductase is the enzyme which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that triggers Androgenic Alopecia in individuals who are genetically susceptible. Type 1 5-alpha-reductase is found primarily in the skin and Type 2 5-alpha-reductase is found primarily in the prostate and inner sheath of the hair follicle.
Acne
Acne is an inflammatory disease which affects the sebaceous glands of the skin.
Alopecia
Complete or partial lack of hair resulting from various conditions
Alopecia Adnata
Under-development of eyelashes
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is the medical term for hair loss which occurs in patches on the scalp.
Alopecia Senilis
Alopecia Senilis is baldness due to old age.
Alopecia Totalis
Alopecia Totalis is the complete loss of scalp hair often combined with the loss of eyebrows and eyelashes.
Alopecia Universalis
Alopecia Universalis is the term for hair loss which occurs over the entire body.
Anagen
Anagen is the term for the growing phase of the hair cycle which lasts five to seven years in a healthy person. See catagen and telogen for other phases of the hair cycle.
Androgenic Alopecia
Androgenic Alopecia is the common name for male or female pattern baldness which depends on the genetic predisposition of the hair follicles and the levels of androgen (male sex hormone) in the body.
Androgens
Androgens are male sex hormones.
Antiandrogen
An antiandrogen blocks the effects of androgens, normally by blocking the receptor sites.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
(BPH)
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. As the prostate gland swells, it reduces the urine flow and prevents the bladder from emptying.
Catagen
Catagen is the end of the active growth period of a hair follicle, and is marked by changes in the follicle. See anagen and telogen for other phases of the hair cycle.
Cicatricial Alopecia
Cicatricial Alopecia is baldness due to scarring. The follicles are absent in scar tissue.
Clone
A group of genetically identical cells or organisms derived from a single common cell.
Coronal grafting
(a.k.a. lateral or perpendicular grafts)
Grafts are placed into recipient sites made with a very small blade that pierced the skin at right angles to the hair direction. See also sagittal grafting.
Cortex
The cortex is the principal structural component of the hair shaft.
Crown
Area at the top of the head
Dermal papilla
The dermal papilla is situated at the base of the hair follicle. The dermal papilla contains nerves and blood vessels which supply glucose for energy and amino acids to make keratin.
DHT
(5-alpha dihydrotestosterone)
DHT is a male hormone that is suggested to be the main cause for the miniaturization of the hair follicle and subsequent hair loss. DHT is formed from the male hormone testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.
Donor Site
Site where hair follicles are harvested during transplant surgery
Dutasteride
Dutasteride is a medication for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is an inhibitor of type 1 and type 2 5-alpha-reductase, the enzymes responsible for converting testosterone to DHT.
Estrogen
One of a group of hormonal steroid compounds that promote the development of female secondary sex characteristics
Finasteride
Finasteride is the generic name of a drug that binds with the type 2 5-alpha-reductase enzyme to reduce the amount of DHT in the prostate and serum. Finasteride is approved by the FDA for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as Proscar 5mg daily dose and also for hair loss as Propecia 1mg daily dose.
Follicle
The follicle is a tube-like structure in the skin in which develops a hair shaft.
Follicular Unit
Groupings of 1-4 hairs that grow together
Follicular Unit Transplantation
A recent technique in hair transplantation where the naturally occurring follicular units of hair follicles are implanted as a natural group
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a treatment method which involves the manipulation of the genetic makeup.
Generic
Generic is a term which refers to a substance, product or drug that is non-proprietary (not manufactured and sold only by the owner of the patent, formula, brand name, or trademark associated with the product.)
Gynecomastia
Excessive development of the breast tissue on a male
Hair Cloning
Hair cloning is a technique under development which could make an unlimited crop of donor hair available for transplanting It differs from cell therapy, another developing technique in which follicular stem cells are injected directly into the skin to grow new hairs.
Hair Integration
Hair integration is a modern term used to describe hair weaving
Hair Weaving
Hair weaving is a process by which a hair piece is attached to existing hair on the head through braiding or a weaving process
Hirsutism
Excessive body or facial hair
Keratin
Keratin is a collective name for a group of proteins that are present in the hair and nails.
Ludwig Scale
Classification of female pattern hair loss (see Norwood scale)
Medulla
The medulla is a central zone of cells, usually only present in large, thick hairs.
Micro Graft
A very small hair graft usually consisting of one or two follicles
Mini Graft
A small hair graft usually consisting of between three to ten hair follicles
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is the generic name of the brand name drug Rogaine. Minoxidil is a topical lotion available over-the-counter in 2% to 5% solution. Minoxidil was the first drug to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of androgenic alopecia.
Norwood/Hamilton Scale
The most commonly used scale for the classification of male pattern hair loss
Papilla
Knoblike indentation at the bottom of the follicle which contains a vascular loop for nourishment
Propecia
A brand name for finasteride 1mg, approved for the treatment of male pattern hair loss.
Proprietary
Pertaining to a drug that is produced and still under patent by a pharmaceutical company
Proscar
The brand name for finasteride 5mg, approved for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Punch Graft
Punch grafts are the old fashioned way of removing grafts for hair transplants. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a modern adaptation of this technique in which very small punch (1mm or less) is used to re-move one follicular unit at a time.
Recipient Site
The bald or thinning area into which hair grafts or plugs are transplanted
Retin-A
(Tretinoin)
Retin-A is a brand name for a topical gel or cream normally used in the treatment of acne.
Rogaine
A brand names for minoxidil, a topical lotion for the treatment of hair loss
Sabaceous Gland
Sebaceous glands are usually found connected to hair follicles to deposit sebum on the hairs, and bring it to the skin surface along the hair shaft.
Sagittal Grafting
(a.k.a. parallel grafts)
Grafts are placed into recipient sites made with a very small blade that pierced the skin parallel to the hair direction. See also coronal grafting.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is a plant native to North America. It may have some, unproven therapeutic benefits for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It does not lower DHT or testosterone levels and has never been shown to increase hair growth.
Scleroderma
A disease of the skin and connective tissue that can cause hair loss over the affected areas
Sebaceous glands
Sebaceous glands are sebum (oil) producing glands found in the skin throughout the body except in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is an extensive and severe form of dandruff.
Sebum
The oily secretion of the sebaceous glands of the scalp composed of oils and cellular debris.
Spironolactone
This drug acts as an antiandrogen and is used in the treatment of androgen related disorders such as female pattern baldness and hirsutism.
Telogen
This is the resting phase of the hair cycle. See anagen and catagen for other phases of the hair cycle.
Testosterone
A predominantly male hormone which promotes the development of male characteristics
Topically
Means to apply directly onto the skin
Traction Alopecia
Traction Alopecia refers to hair loss which occurs due to traction being placed on hair. Traction alopecia is commonly seen with braids, pony tails and other hairstyles which cause tension on the scalp.
Transection
Describes damage to hair follicles that can decrease survival after transplantation
Trichotillomania
A compulsion to pull out one’s own hair
Vellus
The soft downy hair found covering the body
Vertex
(a.k.a whorl)
The vertex is the top of the head towards the posterior position, including the area at which the hair grows in a spiral pattern.
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